HLSC122 Evidence In Practice: PICO

Introduction to PICO

• PICO is a framework used in evidence-based practice for formulating clinical questions and searching for evidence.
• It stands for:
  • P: Patient or Problem
  • I: Intervention
  • C: Comparison
  • O: Outcome

Importance of PICO

• PICO helps in clarifying the key components of a clinical question.
• Facilitates focused literature search and efficient evidence gathering.

Components of PICO

1. Patient or Problem (P):

   • Identify the patient group or problem you are dealing with.
   • Consider demographics, condition specifics, and other relevant factors.

2. Intervention (I):

   • Determine the intervention you are considering for the patient or problem.
   • Examples: medication, therapy, surgical procedure.

3. Comparison (C):

   • Identify an alternative to compare with the intervention, if applicable.
   • Could be another treatment, placebo, or no treatment.

4. Outcome (O):

   • Define what you aim to accomplish or measure.
   • Examples: symptom improvement, recovery rate, side effects.

Applying PICO

• Use PICO to frame clinical questions for systematic reviews or research.
• Enhances the quality and relevance of evidence by focusing on specific elements.

Example of a PICO Question

• Formulate a question using PICO:
  • P: Elderly patients with chronic back pain
  • I: Acupuncture
  • C: Standard pain medication
  • O: Reduction in pain severity

Conclusion

• PICO is a powerful tool in evidence-based practice for developing clear and answerable clinical questions.
• Aids in conducting thorough and effective research to support clinical decisions.